CM Club: Massive crisis

[KatyMac]

OK struggling with 07/08 accounts & basically I have lost over £5k

I need to have 9 F/T children to be economically viable

So I either do a massive advertising drive

Or I give up & get a job

What a choice

Lost 5k why

Offer respite for disabled kids? DS1 goes to a childminder at weekends/holidays and I pay her at direct payments rates - lot more than the standard rate per hour I pay her for NT ds3.

And my god, your hand would be bitten off

Spent more than I earnt

I have - the County council want me to register as a foster carer to offer respite care

As I only have 2 bedrooms (mine & DD's) we can't register as foster carers

I'd love to do that tbh - mind you we already have a few children with additional needs

YOu don;t need to register as a foster carer. DS1 just goes daily and his childminder isn't registered as a foster carer (afaik not for me anyway) - I pay my childminder out of SS budget (direct payments). Ring up your local direct payments team and tell them you exist and are happy to take kids with SN. The its a private arrangement between you and the parents as normal. They pay you in the same way (I just use a different cheque book that SS pay money into).

Thanks - I'll try & find them tomorrow

Apparently though DP aren't used much for children round here - but that may change

Should so. LA's should be moving towards them.

So we are going with Advertising & Direct payments/respite care

Seems easier than getting a job

Hope the advertising works Katy and things work out for you.

I offer occasional and one off minding to boast my income. I put up loads of advertising and have been amazed at the response from people who need childcare only occasionally who will pay well over the going rate to get it

KM - I hear you, and I am sorry that things just keep piling up. How many kids are you down from your quota? Is your area likely to require one off care, or ad hoc?